Protecting green space imperative for city’s future
I have been extraordinarily proud to have grown up in Naperville; it’s been my family’s home for nearly 23 years. I am even prouder to have been a product of the wonderful community, schools and environment that Naperville embodies. As a result, I am incredibly invested in the continued success and quality of this community.
Ensuring the preservation of greenery and the sustainability of the environment and wildlife of Naperville is imperative to retain the character and long-term preservation of Naperville’s population, economic success and environmental impact. Our city has long celebrated its excellent schools and vibrant economy as well as its green spaces: parks, trails, forest preserves and natural areas that give Naperville its character and livability. Yet, these very assets are at risk as development pressures mount and environmental concerns intensify.
Preserving green space is not simply a matter of aesthetics; it is a matter of public health, equity and sustainability. Green areas clean our air, absorb stormwater, reduce urban heat, and provide essential habitats for wildlife. They offer families affordable recreation, spaces for children to play and mental health benefits for residents of all ages. Especially in times of rapid growth, protecting these resources becomes even more urgent.
New construction should prioritize sustainability: energy-efficient designs, walkable neighborhoods and developments that work with nature rather than against it. Investing in tree planting, renewable energy and expanded trail systems is not just an environmental responsibility but an economic one. Communities that value sustainability attract businesses and families looking for a healthier, forward-thinking place to live.
Naperville has the opportunity to lead by example in the Chicago region. Rather than paving over open space, let us champion innovative solutions. Preserving what we already have is the first step, but planning boldly for the future is equally important.
Residents and city leaders alike must work together to ensure Naperville remains not only prosperous but also sustainable. Protecting green space is not a luxury, rather, it is a necessity for resilience, health, and quality of life.
Irene-Maria (Irene) Drikakis, Naperville
People need to stop treating pets as ‘disposable’
We recently read an article in the Naperville Sun titled, “People giving up pets for financial reasons need help, DuPage officials say,” and we wanted to take this opportunity to respond to it.
At Famous Fido Rescue, we acknowledge that some families truly do face financial hardship and need support to keep their animals. We work with those individuals whenever we can because no one should have to lose a beloved companion due to circumstances beyond their control. But in our day-to-day operations, these situations are the minority. The far greater issue we see is a cultural one: a mindset that treats animals as temporary, optional or disposable.
This culture shows itself in countless ways. Guardians surrender animals because they’re moving and don’t want to find pet-inclusive housing. Puppies are given up once they outgrow their novelty or require training. Senior animals are abandoned after years of loyalty because their care becomes inconvenient. Many times, we see animals discarded simply because someone’s lifestyle changed; new job, new baby, new partner, and the animal no longer “fits in.” These decisions are not about true necessity. They are about convenience.
Underlying this is a societal failure to instill the understanding that adopting (or even purchasing) an animal is a lifelong responsibility. Too often, animals are viewed through the same lens as consumer goods: easily acquired and just as easily discarded. We live in a throwaway culture and, tragically, that extends to living beings who depend entirely on human care.
We believe real progress requires more than just financial assistance or housing reforms. It requires a cultural shift. We must demand accountability from guardians, strengthen education around spay/neuter and lifelong commitment, and dismantle the normalization of surrendering animals as an easy solution. Until we confront that deeper issue, shelters will continue to be overwhelmed, not because of unavoidable hardship, but because too many people are failing to see animals as family.
At Famous Fido Rescue, we will continue to tell the truth for the animals who cannot speak for themselves. We will not accept excuses for recklessness and selfishness because every surrendered or abandoned animal is a life disrupted, a bond broken and a heart betrayed.
Gloria Lissner, Chicago
Founder and Executive Director, Famous Fido Rescue
Out-of-state pets part of the problem in Illinois
If DuPage County lawmakers want to help reduce the burden on animal shelters, which are seeing more owner surrenders due to the economy, they should also focus on reducing the number of animals imported into Illinois by shelter and rescue groups. According to data published by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, licensed shelters and rescues imported about 20,000 dogs last year from other states and countries. These imports strain the taxpayer-funded shelter system.
Dog imports can also introduce disease. That’s what happened in 2015 when dog flu from an import sickened more than 1,000 dogs in Chicagoland. Additionally, many of these imported dogs are purebreds acquired from out-of-state breeders, which also raises the question of whether they are truly “rescues.” Shouldn’t we focus on finding homes for the animals already in our shelters before importing tens of thousands more?
Ana Soskic-Starr, Lombard
Founder, Protect Our Pets Illinois